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The man accused of plotting to kidnap and kill Holly Willoughby once appeared in a BBC programme about weight loss, it was revealed on Friday, after a court heard he had contacted a hitman in the US to snatch and murder the This Morning star

Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, described his day-to-day life in the 2018 documentary after his weight ballooned up to 35 stone.

Plumb, who is a security guard at a shopping centre in Essex, had planned to assemble a ‘restraint kit’ at home where he had also stashed weapons, magistrates heard. 

The father-of-two, who worked at Pizza Hut and McDonald’s in the past but gave up after his weight became unmanagable, appeared in the dock accused of offences including soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap.  

After his court hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, he was pictured sitting in the back of a custody van in a green t-shirt on his return to prison.

Plumb was arrested on Wednesday and found in possession of weapons, as police seized his mobile phone and other electronic devices.

He had made a ‘detailed plan’ and had reached out to a hitman in the US to kill the TV presenter, 42, Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard this afternoon. 

Appearing before district judge Caroline Jackson he spoke only to confirm his name and address. He was remanded in custody, leaving the court in a white Serco van, and will appear before the city’s crown court on November 3.

Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, described his day-to-day life in the 2018 documentary

Gavin Plumb, 36, from Harlow, Essex, described his day-to-day life in the 2018 documentary

Plumb, who is a security guard at a shopping centre in Essex, had planned to assemble a 'restraint kit' at home (Pictured: Plumb in a custody van as he left court on Friday)

 Plumb, who is a security guard at a shopping centre in Essex, had planned to assemble a ‘restraint kit’ at home (Pictured: Plumb in a custody van as he left court on Friday)

Holly Willoughby, pictured while out in London walking her dog last month, is said to be 'distraught' since learning of the plot

Holly Willoughby, pictured while out in London walking her dog last month, is said to be ‘distraught’ since learning of the plot

The BBC documentary came to light after Plumb’s arrest and explored his life as he attempted to lose weight.

Segments show him describing being in pain due to his weight, discussing how he had not left his flat in four years and stating he only stepped outside to put a binbag of rubbish in his bin. 

He is also seen saying how he was ‘frustrated’ he couldn’t play football.   

Plumb once weighed 35st and didn’t leave the house for years after quitting his job at Pizza Hut for health reasons. He now works as a security guard at The Pinnacles Shopping Centre in Harlow, Essex.

He was the star of the BBC feature on weight loss, writing a diary for the corporation after he hit 35st after gorging on junk food and downing an average of 36 pints of cola per week, appearing on Radio 5Live twice.

He worked as a kitchen assistant at Pizza Hut for a year until 2012, according to his LinkedIn, but said he was unable to work because he couldn’t get out of his flat, not leaving his home for at least four years from 2014. 

Plumb, who previously said he only ever walked out of his front door to go to the communal bins, is getting out more these days and has started driving lessons recently, neighbours who know him told MailOnline. 

Plumb told the BBC programme: ‘The last time I went out unaided was 2014 – it was my parents’ wedding vow renewal. 

Plumb once weighed 35st and didn't leave the house for years after quitting his job at Pizza Hut for health reasons

Plumb once weighed 35st and didn’t leave the house for years after quitting his job at Pizza Hut for health reasons

Plumb appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Friday accused of soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap

Plumb appeared in the dock at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Friday accused of soliciting to commit murder and incitement to commit kidnap

Gavin Plumb appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court this afternoon

Gavin Plumb appearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court this afternoon 

‘My weight has always fluctuated. At my heaviest, I was 35-and-a-half stone. When the weight started to pile on, that was when my mental health really went down.

‘It’s a vicious circle. When I’m depressed, I eat – and when I eat, I’m depressed. For a long time, I found it difficult walking around. But getting to the point of not being able to go out, that really crept up on me.

‘I hate sitting indoors. I hate looking at the same four walls 24/7. I hate being the size I am.

‘I’m pretty much in pain everywhere. I get chest pains and I’ve just been told it’s because of my weight. I’m scared that if I have something to eat or if I get up and I do too much, that’s it, I’m done.’

He added he had a gastric band fitted and had to go on a liquid diet. But neighbours said today that he is still severely overweight.

Today police officers are guarding Holly’s London mansion where she lives with her TV executive husband Dan Baldwin and their three children.

Her co-stars and even the Prime Minister sent her words of support after Plumb was charged this morning.

Willoughby appeared on the This Morning sofa on Wednesday, but pulled out of her Thursday show at the last minute after being informed of the alleged plot against her. 

The charges indicate the defendant is accused of planning to assemble a ‘kidnap and restraint kit’ and encouraging a third party to travel to the UK to carry out the alleged offences. 

Prosecuting, Shefa Begum told the court Plumb was part of a ‘vast network of like-minded individuals’ and that the plot was so far advanced that the ‘hitman’ had been scheduled to arrive in the UK next week. 

Plumb's weight reached 35st and he was the subject of several features with the BBC on overeating. He had a gastric band fitted in 2018

Plumb’s weight reached 35st and he was the subject of several features with the BBC on overeating. He had a gastric band fitted in 2018 

He was arrested at these flats in Harlow. He was charged today

He was arrested at these flats in Harlow. He was charged today

The home of Gavin Plumb, where the BBC documentary is thought to have been filmed, today

The home of Gavin Plumb, where the BBC documentary is thought to have been filmed, today

Ms Begum said weapons had been found in his flat and that he had ‘conspired’ with a man from the United States and arranged for him to fly to Britain. 

The unnamed accomplice has not been arrested.

Ms Willoughby, 42, is reportedly ‘distraught’ after learning about the plot. 

A source close to the star said ‘sinister and threatening messages’ had been found on electronic devices threatening to seriously harm her.

Ms Willoughby is yet to make a statement, Evelyn Hicks, who was defending Plumb, told the court.

Plumb – a father of two teenagers aged 14 and 15 – was arrested at his flat on Wednesday.

Marked police cars and forensics surrounded the property on Thursday and combed the scene for evidence.

Remanding him in custody, District Judge Caroline Jackson said: ‘Items were found at your home that would have been used to carry out the offences you are charged with.

‘The other party is abroad and preparations had been made for him to arrive in the UK next week. These are very serious allegations you are facing.’

 

Ms Willoughby was pulled from presenting This Morning after it was claimed Essex Police found 'sinister messages' threatening 'serious harm' to the mother-of-three (pictured at the National Television Awards at The O2, in London, in September)

Ms Willoughby was pulled from presenting This Morning after it was claimed Essex Police found ‘sinister messages’ threatening ‘serious harm’ to the mother-of-three (pictured at the National Television Awards at The O2, in London, in September)

Ms Willoughby is said to be under 24/7 police guard at her London home where she lives with her husband Dan Baldwin (pictured together) and their three children

Ms Willoughby is said to be under 24/7 police guard at her London home where she lives with her husband Dan Baldwin (pictured together) and their three children

Couple: Ms Willoughby kissed her husband Dan Baldwin on the cheek as she wishes him a happy birthday in loved-up post on Wednesday. It was also the day the suspect was arrested

Couple: Ms Willoughby kissed her husband Dan Baldwin on the cheek as she wishes him a happy birthday in loved-up post on Wednesday. It was also the day the suspect was arrested

Essex Police superintendent Tim Tubbs said: ‘This was an extremely fast paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges.

‘The safeguarding of any victim is paramount and we will continue to prioritise this and working with the Metropolitan Police service as the investigation proceeds.’ 

Scotland Yard are said to be watching the mother-of-three’s home in London as friends and fellow stars rallied around her.

LBC breakfast show host Nick Ferrari was due to appear on Ms Willoughby’s show with her on Thursday and said today: ‘Best wishes to her and her family’, adding the alleged plot is ‘an ugly one’ if found to be true.

It is understood Plumb is not known to Ms Willoughby. 

Fans were baffled when she went missing from the morning show – and was replaced by a big name co-star instead. Host Josie Gibson, 38, was joined by the much-loved Alison Hammond, 48.

Ms Hammond – who has recently made her debut as presenter of Bake Off – joked she was getting jealous of seeing Josie and Ms Willoughby together on the show.

Viewers were left in confusion, because the reasons of her absence were unknown. 

Beaming Ms Gibson kicked off the morning show as she said: ‘Look who’s joined me. It’s only the one and only Alison Hammond!’

‘Oh, Josie! I hope you don’t mind, I got a bit jealous. I saw you and Holly and you were talking about being blonde and I thought ‘I’m going to shake this up a bit. I’m getting in there’,’ replied Alison.

The Prime Minister today said his thoughts are with Ms Willoughby following an alleged plot to kidnap her

The Prime Minister today said his thoughts are with Ms Willoughby following an alleged plot to kidnap her

Dermot O'Leary and Ms Hammond sent love to their colleague and her family today

Dermot O’Leary and Ms Hammond sent love to their colleague and her family today

Ms Willoughby, 42, was said to be 'distraught' after police uncovered an alleged plot to kidnap her

Ms Willoughby, 42, was said to be ‘distraught’ after police uncovered an alleged plot to kidnap her 

Ms Willoughby kissed her husband Mr Baldwin on the cheek as she wished him a happy birthday in loved-up Instagram post on Wednesday.

The presenter – who rarely gives a glimpse into her marriage – celebrated the TV producer’s day by sharing a sweet photograph of them.

In the post, Ms Willoughby and Mr Baldwin were seen embracing each other at a festival in Italy, with a music stage in the background.

She captioned the post: ‘Happy birthday to my Love.’

The couple tied the knot at Amberley Castle in Sussex on August 4, 2007, and they have since welcomed three children together.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail